The cast of Bridgerton spin-off Queen Charlotte has opened up about how it feels to reimagine British and Black history through the character of Queen Charlotte.
The series follows Queen Charlotte's rise to power and tells the story of how the young Queen's marriage to King George sparked both a great love story and a societal shift, creating the world of the Ton inherited by the characters in Bridgerton.
Golda Rosheuvel, who plays the titular character, told Digital Spy and other media that it was "bloody marvellous" to be a part of the show that brings history alive and gives Queen Charlotte her moment to shine.
She explained: "I think especially in the world that we are in now, to celebrate Black History is really really important, and through a female protagonist, female historical character. I think is really cool and beautiful and right on and it's an extraordinary story because as we've said it's one of love which is very rare I think.
"And to know that these two people were passionate about each other way way way way way back in the 18th century and they wanted to be together, and they were a mixed couple you know and they wanted to celebrate that and the great experiment happened.
"I think to bring that to the forefront of the world we're living in now and to really celebrate that is really important politically, emotionally and representing and inclusion all of that stuff it's really really important. So yeah, it is to be celebrated."
Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury, said it was important for actors of colour to be in roles that are not "enslaved people, downtrodden people" and that this story is based on truth.
"You know, on a practical level also as actors of colour to be able to be in stories that are not entirely contemporary and to be in those stories not as enslaved people, downtrodden people.
"Because there are more stories, and this isn't a documentary, but it's based on a truth and to have that truth aired, it gives us space to expand. And also to go, we've been here for an extremely long time, and we have a place in all the stories that are told because it enriches all our history."
Arsema Thomas, who plays a young Lady Danbury, added that it "highlights the fact that Black history is part of history".
"So I think it’s exactly what you said: there's a need to always silo or segment or need to categorise something, and this kind of shows how beautifully one feeds into the other."
Bridgerton seasons 1-2 are streaming now on Netflix. Season 3 is in production. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is due to premiere on May 4, 2023.
